The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has remained firm on its position that no mining permit/ licence has been granted for areas east of the New River. The ministry made the pronouncement in a statement that comes on the heels of allegations to the contrary.
An anonymous letter leaked to the press on Monday indicated that the permission of Geological and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) was issued to Muri Brasil Ventures Limited.
The agreement includes a clause which paves way for a maximum of 18 prospecting licences for rare earth elements, bauxite, gold and diamond.
In a bid to clear up any misconception, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in a joint statement on Tuesday said Muri Brasil Ventures Limited was evaluated and granted permission for Geological and Geographical Survey (PGGS) through GGMC to conduct Geological and Geophysical Surveys in Rupununi, Mining District Number Six.
“Cognisance should be taken of the fact that the PGGS held by Muri Brazil Venture Ltd, a Guyanese company, was done in keeping with the ISO certified procedures. Additionally, it should be noted that a PGGS is a property exclusive to exploration and does not include any mining and or profit related activities. This is not related in any way to a prospecting licence, mining licence or mining permit, all of which are also done in keeping with the Mining Act and its regulation,” the ministry explained.
The Natural Resources Ministry and GGMC are contending that PGGS was not issued in the dark, contending that relevant disclosures were made when the ministry shared information with the Guyana Human Rights Association and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources.
But A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) executive member Joseph Harmon is calling for Minster Persaud to step down, claiming that the information presented at the recently held parliamentary sectoral committee meeting is contrary to that contained in the documents leaked to the press, members of government, the opposition and Speaker of the National Assembly, among others.
According to Harmon, a written letter concerning the disputed area was submitted in the National Assembly, but to date, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister is yet to respond.
